Grade 8 Review R. Prithraj

Morning to Mr Kershaw, members of the staff, parents and fellow pupils. Today I am reminded of a saying that is believed by all Glenwood boys, it states “a true man is not born but made.” This along with so much more is what the Glenwood grade 8 experience is all about, and today that is what I Ryan Prithraj will be delivering to you. THE GLENWOOD GRADE 8 EXPERIENCE.

 

The schooling year of 2008 started on the 16^th of January, this was the day a new bunch of grade 8 will become part of the Glenwood family, oh but not so fast ladies and gentlemen, there’s always a catch. This was presented to us in the form of a grade 8 leadership course. Yes, on the 17^th we departed from our home at Glenwood to our new home which was tents at the Natal mounted rifles. It was there that we learnt to bond as a grade and work as a unit. We worked hard and played much harder, so hard in fact that we broke history, literally, ladies and gents we broke a tank. Yes, once a dangerous weapon, now pieces of metal held guilty hands. At the end of the course all the boys rang the bell to signify our becoming part of the Glenwood family.

 

We settled fast and before we knew it the term came to an end.

 

The 2^nd term kicked off and we were ready for no matter what. As cricket season came to a halt, rugby was ready to begin. As the athletes were off training, the academics began to work.

 

The half-year tests were approaching slowly and it made its presence aware to all pupils. Then one cold Monday morning it began, students wrote for their life knowing they would either rise above the rest or fall prey to daunting stress. Lose your cool and you will be eat. This brought us to the end of the 2^nd term.

 

The 3^rd and 4^th terms were both very short, therefore being the most enjoyable. The subject of science took a greater stature of importance, this was because we got our hands dirty for once and didn’t let our teachers have all the fun. We did more experiments and studied various ecosystems, this ladies and gents was a build up to the exciting Vetchers pier trip. There we learnt about science of course and surprisingly a bit of history which was a tour around historic landmarks of Durban bay. At the end of the trip we were handed out assignment sheets on the Vetchers pier and was told surprise, surprise that this would add to our CAS mark at the end of the term. Though the 3^rd term was enjoyable we could not relax. Because around the corner awaiting us were the exams.

 

The 4^th term snuck in though quietly but still having an impact. The whole year lead up to this. The school slowly began to flood with texts, teachers ears were drowned by the sound of questions. Day by day it continued until it arrived, yes the moment some were fearing finally arrived. The exams began as pen met paper, some raced right through while others took time to ponder. Hours turned into days and days into weeks. Then with one swerve of the pen it ended like it never began.

 

2008 a year of brotherhood, teamwork, learning, teaching and living. We have grown together and have made friendships that lasts forever. 2008 has ended and 2009 has began and let us once again make this year truly unforgettable.